MINIMALISSIMO EDITED
My real desire is to see people live in the modus of our time, to participate in the contemporary world, to release themselves from nostalgia, antiquated traditions, old rituals, meaningless kitsch and meaningless paradigms.
– Karim Rashid
What's happening?
I'm currently facing a design and marketing challenge related to minimalism (not Minimalissimo). So I want to present a series of questions that you are welcome to help answer in whatever format you like (email, tweet, blog post, or meme).
If you run a website related to minimalism, is it only natural that you should embrace minimalism in all aspects (branding, design, content, technology, carbon impact and so on) or just selective ones? At what point does minimalism become detrimental to a brand or user experience? What is too minimal to succeed? What does success even look like for niche markets?
Does light-touch minimalism just get lost in the crowd, devoid of personality? Conversely, how can a more extreme minimalism engage without losing character or appearing boring and uninspired? How can extreme minimalism for a brand be consistent across all platforms such as website, newsletter, and social media?
How is the right balance struck? Is it even possible? Would you rather play it safe and be guided by metrics? Or would you stick to principles come what may? Or is it better to compromise brand distinctiveness and coherence for the sake of growth and algorithmic obediance?
– Carl
Features
FORM US WITH LOVE STUDIO
Designed in collaboration with architecture practice Förstberg Ling and branding firm Figur, the studio has been stripped back to a blank canvas for the team's operations resulting in a raw minimalist aesthetic. Dominated by a white hues with only accents of artificial colour—hanging tools and soft furnishings—the studio space is finished with a light polished concrete to give it a workshop or work in progress sensibility.
UMU COLLECTION
The Umu bedroom collection, designed by Neri&Hu for Ariake, is inspired by the Chinese aesthetic philosophy of xu shi xiang sheng (虚实相生). Xu shi is a classic pairing of opposing words, xu meaning void or virtual, and shi meaning solid or real. Thus, xu shi xiang sheng is the notion of the interdependence and productive nature of this dichotomy— “solid” and “void” together create “space” as we know it.
MONOLOGUE ART MUSEUM
Shanghai-based architecture firm Wutopia Lab has designed the Monologue Art Museum as a slowly unfolding hand scroll with functional spaces lining the perimeter and a black reflecting pool in the centre. Inspired by the brushstrokes used in Chinese painting, the boundary walls shift from continuous floor-to-ceiling glazing, to solid walls, through to latticework, forming "a shifting ink line".
W223 PAWSON
British designer and architect John Pawson has created a minimalist and understated table lamp for lighting company Wästberg. The design combines curved and rectilinear elements to create a quietly monumental volume. Notched cut-outs in the form contribute detail to the lamp's distinctive profile, while also serving the functional purpose of shaping the way the light is cast and creating an entry point for the cable.
THE HERMITAGE CABIN
The hermitage cabin, designed by llabb, is a space of contemplation and reflection. Isolated from the world, it overlooks a still wild valley, secluded from everything. It's a hybrid of a Japanese tea house and a Scandinavian cabin giving it a minimalist charm and aesthetic.
WALDEN MEDITATION SET
Created by Brooklyn, New York-based design studio, Walden, this minimalist meditation set includes a standard size cushion and a mat that is available in two sizes and wide range of colours. The cushions have an all-natural, hypoallergenic buckwheat-hull fill that conforms to each body and a layer of gel-infused memory foam on top for added comfort.
Supply spotlight
minimal design made to own (and made by us):
M–3D: TUBE
As part of our launch collection, our minimal and brutalist tube model is a utility-first object that will also sit proudly in your home—designed to hydrate your plants as a versatile watering can, tube can also be simply used as a vase.
Where next?
Discovery
other things for you to read, explore, and maybe even admire:
Soft Minimal: a recently printed book on the sensory approach to architecture and design by Norm Architects
Revolution, The History of Turntable Design: the design, history, and cultural impact of turntables and vinyl technology: the twin powerhouses of the 'vinyl revival' phenomenon
Carl's setup on Maker Stations: check out my setup and Minimalissimo's HQ in a short interview
100% FUNCTIONAL == BEAUTIFUL: a blog post breaking down what defines beauty and functionalism in design
This monthly edition of the Minimalissimo newsletter was supported by aprile, the hanging chair
inspired by spring days and designed by Matteo Modica, aprile is a simple suspended chair that oozes elegance—a floating seat, shaped after spring petals, swinging gently. designed and handcrafted in Italy with artisanal love.
whether you're looking for visual inspiration or design insights, you can visit our gallery to discover the very best of minimalism in art and design.
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